Agreed to the assess the remaining procedures for their criticality following on from recent MEC discussions on the volumes of change and prioritisation.

MIF258 – Near Time Improvements to Electricity Meter Technical Details

IREG provided feedback on the draft guidance and asked that a communication is sent to all Contract Managers highlighting the need to complete the data cleanse exercises (including for the Plot Address data cleanse exercise) by the end of 2018 in line with the previous request made by Ofgem.

MIF270 – Creation of a valid set held and managed by BSCCo, for Data Items J0454 CT Ratio and J0455 VT Ratio

IREG noted the verbal update from ELEXON, which had advised that a draft valid set for both CT and VT ratios had been produced. ELEXON had based these on the values issued in relevant Data Flows via the Data Transfer Network (DTN).

ELEXON agreed to IREG’s request to issue the Distribution Network specific valid set to the operatives of those networks for validation.

MIF279 – Valid Set for Meter Type (J0483) contains values that are truncated over the DTN

IREG discussed the fact that the rules held between the Data Transfer Catalogue and the Data Transfer Network rules were contrary to each other. A large Supplier noted that they had a small number of instances compared to their portfolio total, therefore it could easily correct themselves. As such, IREG felt that a change, which might result in participant system changes, may not be cost-effective. IREG noted that these instances may still be required to be cleansed prior to the CSS implementation. IREG agreed that a review of the number of instances for the five values that have been sent over the DTN and of those which are held on ECOES to assess how the MIF can be progressed.

IREG noted that there may be instances where the In-House Display (IHD) is working even though the meter is not being operated as a smart meter. The group agreed that Suppliers are likely to ignore the IHD status where the meter is not being operated. The Propose noted that they will discuss with their business and advise as to whether they still wish to proceed or not.

IREG discussed the drafting set out and agreed the changes on the ECOES User Requirements Specification (URS) for MIF271, MIF274 and MIF276 with a view for implementing them in the February 2019 release.

MEC Update – September 2018

MEC last met on 25th September 2018, key headlines from the meeting include:

MEC received an update from Ofgem on the development of the Retail Energy Code (REC), including the approach to develop the REC in three stages. Ofgem noted that the full REC was likely to be delivered towards summer 2021. REC v1.0 is expected to come into effect in January 2019, preceded by a statutory consultation on licence modifications in October 2018. MEC has agreed that a contingency should be reserved in the MRASCo Budget for 2019/20 to provide continuity of funding for the Ofgem-procured programme coordinator, although this funding will only be required if the plan for the establishment of the RECCo is disrupted.

MEC received an update from the ongoing activity to establish a Performance Assurance Board for Erroneous Transfers in MRA and SPAA. MEC has recommended an approach that will see engagement with parties in October 2018, at a session that will agree an approach to realising the establishment of an ETPAB by July 2019, through identification of changes to the relevant codes.

MEC agreed a funding request from IREG for a data cleanse of the D0312 (Notification of Meter Information to ECOES) reports from ECOES, identified as beneficial to improvements under MIF261 (D0312 Quick Wins).

MEC received an update from the Secure Communications Work Group and agreed funding for legal advice on the GDPR implications of the transfer between industry parties of personal data via email.

MEC signed off the first edition of the new MRASCo Newsletter, which was sent out to all registered Contract Managers and Change Administrators on 26th September. They will also be stored on the website as some companies highlighted security issues with clicking on links within emails.

The next MEC meeting will be held on 30th October 2018.

Ofgem Update – Open Letter to Electricity Sector Stakeholders

Ofgem has published an open letter encouraging suppliers, DNOs and other stakeholders in the Electricity sector to support MRASCO’s FSEG group on 3rd October 2018. The purpose of the letter is to ensure that suppliers, DNOs and other stakeholders secure appropriate resources ahead of the Design, Build and Test phase of the programme, and to work with their agents (such as Meter Asset Providers) to ensure delivery of the appropriate changes to industry data on a timely basis.